City releases consultant’s report on ballpark plan

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington has released a report from a consultant on a proposal for a minor league baseball stadium in Wilmington. The city hired National Sports Services to analyze a proposal from developers, including Mandalay Baseball Properties, to build a ballpark in the city to serve as the home of an Atlanta Braves farm team.

The feasibility study from NSS is about 200 pages analyzing the proposal from Mandalay Baseball Properties, the Atlanta Braves and some developers and the impact of minor league baseball and a ballpark here in Wilmington.

We have not yet had a chance to go through all of it yet, but we have looked at some of it.

Among the highlights, NSS says the project would cost upwards of about $42 million when you factor in buying land. There could be chances to scale down the scope of the project, which would reduces costs. NSS, though, warns downsizing could decrease the economic impact.

The market analysis led NSS to recommend building a 6,000-seat ballpark with 12 to 14 private suites, 200 to 250 club seats, a club lounge, picnic areas and a kids play zone. That’s slightly smaller than the Mandalay/Braves request.

The company estimates over 20 years the ballpark would generate $313 million in direct spending, as well as $24.7 million in new revenues for the city and county.

Of course, the big question is how to pay for it. NSS says on average, public funding accounts for 59 percent of minor league ballpark development since 1995.

NSS provided a hypothetical funding scenario, in which the city would pay for 41 percent of the project, or $17.2 million, while looking for about a fifth from other government aid. It calls for nearly 40 percent from the private sector, but the rent is money paid to the city, and property tax is paid to the city and county. As we understand it, that means for the money to defray any of the ballpark costs, it would have to come back out of the government till, which would keep it from offsetting the public share.

NSS also crunched some numbers to show that the Braves and Mandalay could expect a 7.1 percent return on their investment over the initial 20-year lease.

National will make a presentation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

NATIONAL SPORTS SERVICES REPORT – HIGHLIGHTS (source: City of Wilmington)

Cost$36-42 million for construction, land, infrastructureCosts for construction and land are comparable to preliminary estimates from Mandalay, but there may be some opportunities for savings either from a change in scope to the proposal, or from a more specific, detailed proposal when that becomes available.

Preferred locationGreater downtown area most preferred, followed by Eastwood Road corridorKey factors include proximity to dining, hotels and other entertainment, as well as the potential to enhance existing and additional economic development, parking opportunities and existing infrastructure.

Economic ImpactOver 20 years, $313 million in direct spending; $24.7 million in new revenues, $451 million in new total output (City/County figures broken out as follows:)CityEstimated $242 million in total new output$168 million in new direct spending$19.3 million in new revenueCountyEstimated $209 million in total new output$145 million in new direct spending$5.4 million in new revenue

JobsTotal of 6,412 new one-year full and part-time jobs earning $138 millionCity – 3,481 jobs that would generate an estimated $76 million in new personal earningsCounty – 2,931 jobs that would generate an estimated $62 million in new personal earnings

Market/size–Strong regional draw with military bases and nearby beaches as enhancements-60% of market within 15 miles, equaling 255,000 residents; another 30% draw within 30 miles, equaling 348,000 residents-Recommend 6,000‐seat stadium; average seating at ballparks in comparable markets is just over 6,100 seats, with a range of 4,500‐8,100-Our demographics in same range as comparable ballparks

Public Support/fundingOn average, public funding accounts for 59% of minor league baseball developments built since 1995If Wilmington follows this model, the public investment would be $25.4 million, assuming the project would cost a total of $42 million. Mandalay would contribute $16.6 million through annual payments of $400,000 a year and other partners would need to be identified to contribute another $7.4 million.

Citizen funding support53% of survey respondents indicated they would be willing to pay up to $2 a month for the ballpark

Mandalay return on investmentAn estimated 18% profit margin in the first year, stabilizing at 10% by fifth year of operation and then an average 7.1% return over the life of a 20‐year lease

Other activities for ballparkComparable ballparks host youth, high school and college baseball, concerts, graduations, religious events, food festivals, private functions, movie nights, professional soccer games

Number of eventsComparable ballparks hosted an average of 153 events each year

AttendanceAttendance at comparable parks is 3,796 per game, with a range from 2,449‐5,612

Costs/benefitsTied to level of funding commitment; size of project can be scaled down, but benefits and return on investment diminish accordingly

June 19 City Council meeting-Presentation from NSS, receive/take action on NSS report-Decide on MOU extension-Consider budget for additional professional support

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Vog46

“The conclusions to be drawn are clear and are consistent with what area residents and the business community and tourism leaders have been telling us for some time….this project represents a great investment in our economic infrastructure and makes Wilmington a better place”

Only if the numbers are accurate.
For instance, NSS says Wilmington’s “interest” in baseball is somehow 50% higher than other cities and thery say that 3% of the city’s population will attend the games whereas other cities are consitantly at 2%.
So what does this mean?
It means that they will never EXCEED 300,000 Per year attendance so Wilmington will NOT get $1 per ticket Mandalay offered.
Second it means that because the attendance is overstated all economic impact is as well. Keep in mind that half the attendees will be adults the other half will be children.
It is also curious to note that the location of the stadium to me would have a big impact on just how much an impact it will have. Downtown, to me offers the biggest bang for the buck. The problem is – just how big a bang it will be.

The surveys showed more than the NSS report.
We love baseball, but we are hesitant to pay for it. The amount of funding Mandalay is asking the city to put up seems to go against how much the citizens are willing to put up.
THAT’S whats abundantly clear to me.
We want it but don’t want to pay too much for it.
Go ask the Port City Roosters just how badly Wilmington wanted baseball………..

Best Regards
Vog

Old Man

The opposition remains shrill, as usual…but I now believe they will fail. They showed their true colors when they submitted false signatures on the petition. They, like Obama and the Democrats will resort to almost anything to win.

Just like the opposition to Amendment One, who can’t lose gracefully, I expect lawsuits out of this before it’s over.

Terry Spencer

A very thorough and professional analysis by one of the country’s leading stadium consultants. The data shows very clearly that the economic benefits of the project are compelling and costs very much in line with similar projects. The study provides us validation that the downside risk to area residents is very modest particularly when viewed in comparison to the expected economic benefits.

The conclusions to be drawn are clear and are consistent with what area residents and the business community and tourism leaders have been telling us for some time….this project represents a great investment in our economic infrastructure and makes Wilmington a better place…..